Is Orton's Glory Now Falling On Smackdown?

[Pay Per Ghost]

Now it is all but natural to have it all about Raw with Brock coming back and the perfect brawl that happened. The WWE is due credit for putting on a good show for Raw in recent months, and then keep it rolling with the post-Mania shows. However, in all this, a certain wrestler on the 'other' brand has been developing stars with good matches, whose personas are developing at a good rate. A certain someone who has had a awarded feud of the year for said reasons and is with the top of WWE. One such man is Randy Orton.


Now he has carried that brand of sorts. As mentioned, his matches are of fine quality and his opponents are not Tugboat themselves. For the last year he has taken it all and made feuds mean and punches count. Feuds with Christian and Barrett come in mind, and they were rather good yes? On the other brand Punk took over. Rock and Cena did some small thing, ADR emerged. Truth and Miz got outlawed, and there was a Nash sighting. Eventful definitely. And its carried onto this year with Punk and Jericho. And now there is Brock. You can see Randall getting the big pop yet but with his match opponent/status at Mania, and overall hoopla over Raw the past year...

Is Randy Orton's star dimming?

Is there a certain drop in popularity?

Will this result in a draft to Raw this year perhaps?

 

[HEELKris]

Randy Orton has sucked since his face turn in 2010. Even the WWE knows that, they tried to turn him into a John Cena of SmackDown and it didn't work, because he's sloppy in the ring, TERRIBLE on the mic and has the charisma of a goat. I'm glad he's not in the main event of SmackDown anymore, I was sick and tired of SmackDown starting with ''My name is Randy Orton'' and ending with a lame RKO out of nowhere. He SUCKS and the WWE really has no choice but to turn him heel, Randy Orton as a face just doesn't work. Even the heel ''Viper'' worked better than the ''Apex Predator'' (worst gimmick of the decade).

 

[aza1294]

Yes He certainly is losing popularity and IMO that is due to being on the 'b brand'.I believe Randy NEEDS to be drafted to RAW. He is one of the most over guys on the roster(even whilst he's on smackdown) and surely Vince should realize how much of a cash machine he is so putting him in the spotlight on the main roster would make sense

 

[SD619]

Is Randy Orton's star dimming?

Not really. His current feud with Kane, is one of the top feuds at SmackDown and had a better build for Wrestlemania than the WHC. The reason that he is not at the top is primarily due to his injuries and to let others take the spotlight. Ever since Night of Champions, he has been putting guys (Henry/Ziggler/Rhodes) over. He still is one of the top faces of the WWE and has a lot of credibility.

Is there a certain drop in popularity?

Slightly. But that can be attributed to his injuries and the time that he was forced to take off. He still gets great reactions and puts on consistently good matches. His matches with Kane have been better than what we have seen out of Kane in a long time.

Will this result in a draft to Raw this year perhaps?

Hopefully not. There is not much for Orton to do at RAW. RAW already has many huge draws in Cena, Brock, Punk and possibly Rock. Orton would likely be lost in transition between the top feuds at RAW. Also, RAW is a promo-heavy show, which is not Randy's strength. He should continue putting on good matches at Smackdown, a show that focuses more on the in-ring action.

 

[2Sweet_4Life]

Simple i would turn orton back heel and put him on raw but not as the viper or the apex predator as the cocky young guy we first saw who was great on the mic and had charisma just like the orton in 06-07 and he can get heat just for turning on the young kids in the audience.

 

[2Sweet_4Life]

A show that focuses on in ring action? REALLY? did u watch SD! last night it had about 10minutes of in-ring action, henry v orton got interuppted, hacksaw v hunico got interuppted, the main event was over in 2minutes. the worst show i have ever seen. from now on SD! should be what it used to be a 1hour taped show and raw should change to being 3hours and put all the mid-carders & main eventers on raw and give them storylines & have divas tag teams and lower carder with a few main eventers appearing each week on a 1 hour SD!

 

[FunKay the Inevitable]

In order to help boost certain individuals credentials and to help create new stars, you need established ones to take a few hits. Randy Orton is more than willing to take the hits he needs to take in order to put new stars over the top. He did it pretty much from September of last year through until his feud with Kane. Mark Henry, Cody Rhodes and Wade Barrett all look much better for their feuds with Randy Orton. The same with Kane. Kane is sloppy, slow and sluggish in the ring. Yet y'know what? Randy Orton can get a good match out of him.

Orton is one of the best wrestlers around in the world. He's able to get the crowd in his corner and he has the ability (quite a rare one at that) to make his opponents look like gold. Randy Orton's star isn't fading, it's merely dimmed in order to let the others shine brighter. As for moving to Raw, I could see it, but I doubt it'll happen. With guys like Rock, Cena, Punk and Lesnar floating around the title scene, I can't see Orton fitting in there. SmackDown's where he's needed and SmackDown is where I think he'll stay.

 

[Foshinzo]

Because he's still so young, I'm not going to say that Orton has run his course. Still, he has definitely taken a much needed step back.

I've always felt that Orton is overrated. The man has a great look, though I'm still not sure how he's a babyface, but his personality is just stale. He doesn't have what it takes to carry a show, and I think he proved that with his 2010 WWE Championship feud with Sheamus. Everyone wonders why Hell in a Cell and Night of Champions had such an insanely low buyrate that year, I say it's because: 1) the WWE botched the Nexus angle; 2) Two full-price PPVs a month is ridiculous; 3) and the title feud was between Orton and Sheamus, two very lackluster stars.

Orton is a great worker, and I don't think anyone would really argue that, but he's not a star, at least as a babyface. He needs this time to step back and get over the young guys on Smackdown, because he's done well with that. I think this whole feud with Kane has sucked. It doesn't really seem to do anything at all for either guy.

When Orton reemerges, it'll be as a heel.

 

[CKrantz]

No I don't think Orton's glory is falling. I just think he needs someone to feud while he is not in the title picture so he doesn't become stale. After he is done with Kane he will prob be back in the title picture in fatal 4 way match or feud someone like a returning Wade Barratt who he has unfinished business with.

 

[Joshua]

Randy Orton went out and made Mark Henry look good last night. That's what the guy does night in and night out. I don't get all the internet marks saying his star is fading. He still went out there last night and got a huge face pop from the crowd. People who say the crowd is getting sick of Orton should start watching the product more.

 

[beckyh]

Randy does not have the personality to carry a show as the number 1 guy. Edge and Jericho are good examples of what worked on SD in the past. Orton does however have a good work ethic. It might be a case of him being too serious all the time. There is none of the drama that made SD fun in the past.

 

[Peoples_Champ]

Is Randy Orton's star dimming?

Is there a certain drop in popularity?

Will this result in a draft to Raw this year perhaps?

I'd like to preface this by saying 9 months ago I wrote a post here talking about how they should let some guys go over on Randy because he was being super-pushed and never losing. I wrote that after the IWC became enraged with the whole Christian-title debacle. That reaction, combined with his comments about Kelly Kelly and Mark Henry, is what has led to where Orton is today.

Is his star dimming? It has to be. Orton was main eventing WM just a few years back, now he had a throwaway match added - and he lost that as well. I'm not saying he's being buried, not by any means. But WWE's core audience, kids and pre-teens, are notoriously fickle. If they see their favourite wrestler lose for months, they're not going to stick with them. Which leads to the next question...

Has his popularity dropped? Absolutely. Last year's WM, when time from his match with CM Punk was cut, he was legit furious about it, as were fans. This year's WM, fans were just happy he was on the card. This never would have happened to Taker, HBK, HHH, John Cena, Jericho - but it's happened to Randy Orton. And the reason why is declining popularity. It's not Randy's fault, he needs to be given time to remain hot, but he hasn't helped matters either with his continual discipline problems backstage.

Will Orton be drafted to Raw? No. Smackdown lacks faces and the last thing the brand needs is to lose another major face to Raw. SD stars appear on Raw all the time anyways, so why transfer him solely to Raw? What Randy needs is a major feud. I'm sure one of these new guys will be given to Orton, but he needs to be back in the title hunt. Unfortunately for him, with Sheamus holding the title and probably getting a run with it, Orton will be on the outside looking in for quite some time.

 

[BigRedPunk]

Is his star dimming? I'd say it is. (See my answer to "Has his popularity dropped for more detail)

Has his popularity dropped? Quite a bit in my opinion. I remember when Randy Orton use to get thunderous reactions/pops when his music hit and now it is maybe half that. His many injuries and problems backstage don't help fans to stay behind him either.

Will Orton be drafted to Raw? He may be drafted to RAW but I don't think it would be a good thing for him to be. RAW already has John Cena, Brock Lesnar, CM Punk, etc. He would likely be overshadowed. Plus Smackdown needs all the top faces they can get.

 

[TBK]

While I liked him as the Legend Killer, his glory falling out would be for the best as The Viper. He can't continue just being "The Viper". He's just way too predictable. When Orton actually shows glimpses of charisma like his little Victory dance after Smackdown that one time, he's shown he can be entertaining. They should use this time wisely and rethink their strategy with him. That's my best suggestion.

 

[Nada]

When Orton was still a heel and started geeting pops, people were pretty excited about him, some even called him the next Austin.

Then that cooled down and he was traded to SD, a often superior show to Raw but obviously a lesser profile B show

They need to have a star on Smackdown, i can imagine them putting Punk and Jericho there and send Orton back to Raw. Just to give Orton "back" for being relegated to the B show.

 

[Skairipa Matrix]

im happy orton isnt in the main event all the time anymore hes boring and has been ever sense the moment he turned face randy orton is fine right where he is in the mid card and in all honesty orton deserves to be out of the title picture for awhile because he bitched to triple h about moving to smackdown last year and what happened? christian got screwed out of the title 2 days after winning it! fuck orton hope he rots in the midcard with his average ring work and boring promos

 

[vikesfan]

How do you know he bitched to HHH about the move to S-Down? Because dirt sheets reported it.Yeah,those are great sources.Orton is still one of the Top 3 overall wrestlers in WWE today like it or not.

How is his work 'average?" Because he dont do high spots or flips? Ask Arn Anderson or HBK how good Orton is. They have raved over his work for years. I think they're better judges of talent than any fanboys like you.

And one thing people forget to mention about Orton lately. Over the past 3 months,hes had a back injury that took him out a month,he had the stomach flu and a concussion(which was his 5th concussion he's had now in his career). Maybe hes being more cautious out there because of that? I know I would be.

 

[#BabyFace]

Randy Orton is doing his job. The stage in Orton's career right now is to be the star power on SmackDown. Dont we all know someone like this?.....oh yeah...EDGE. Edge carried the blue brand and did his job by being that one guy who carried the brand and was there because without him... there would be nobody. Orton is there for that reason. Of course he may not get big fueds or things like that because he is on the B show. But Orton is doing his job. Yes his character could use some tweeking...but in time Orton will go back to RAW and will be back to stardom.

 

[OneTooManyPunts]

This seems to be a weekly topic of discussion on the forums any more.

Since when does not being in every main event, or working smaller programs automatically mean a wrestlers better days are behind him. 2011 was probably the best Randy Orton has ever been from an in ring stand point. His feud with Christian was fantastic, he helped get Barrett, Henry, and guys like Bryan over on a brand that was in desperate need of some fresh faces with a sense of legitimacy. That's not being a performer that's near his end, or on the downward slope, that's a performer doing something for the great good of Smackdown, and ultimately doing what he is told.

Now, it goes without saying he deserved better than he got at Wrestlemania, but that's the breaks.

He's still one of, if not the biggest face of Smackdown. His pops are still bigger than 99% of the roster, and he's still selling plenty of merchandise. Add in the fact he has yet to be anything near 'over the hill' for a performer, and it's hard to say that best days are behind him

Cena jobbed out to Rock, and has been owned by Lesnar two weeks in a row. Is his star falling?

Sometimes the biggest stars in a promotion have to take a smaller role to help build something bigger for the future. Orton doesn't have to carry Smackdown right now...with guys like Sheamus, Bryan, Rhodes, and eventually Barrett. It will make it all the fresher when he does return to the World Heavyweight Title scene, and may be something WWE can build a storyline around, his climb back to the top.

 

[Mustang Sally]

In order to help boost certain individuals credentials and to help create new stars, you need established ones to take a few hits.

Exactly. If wrestling fans got their way, everyone they liked would be featured.....and everyone they didn't like would be booted out of the company.

In reality, this is impossible, of course. All performers can't be eternally at the top; some of the headliners have to take a few lumps so that others can break through. This applies even to John Cena, as has been demonstrated so effectively in recent weeks.

Okay, so now it's Randy Orton's turn. Some folks like him and others detest him (which can be said for every prominent performer), yet Randy has been at the top of the heap for quite a while now; losing matches only by foul means. Therefore, I was surprised to see him lose cleanly to Kane at WM.....but when I thought about it, it seemed like a great idea and a great way to keep Kane's reputation up. After all, it's not as Kane is a ham-'n-egger; he had a terrific world title run not that long ago and there's no disgrace in losing to him.....not even if you're Randy Orton.

Randy's star isn't dimmed at all by this, he's just functioning as a good soldier and a solid company man. Eventually, everyone has to.

 

[The Gribbler]

In order to help boost certain individuals credentials and to help create new stars, you need established ones to take a few hits. Randy Orton is more than willing to take the hits he needs to take in order to put new stars over the top. He did it pretty much from September of last year through until his feud with Kane. Mark Henry, Cody Rhodes and Wade Barrett all look much better for their feuds with Randy Orton. The same with Kane. Kane is sloppy, slow and sluggish in the ring. Yet y'know what? Randy Orton can get a good match out of him.

Orton is one of the best wrestlers around in the world. He's able to get the crowd in his corner and he has the ability (quite a rare one at that) to make his opponents look like gold. Randy Orton's star isn't fading, it's merely dimmed in order to let the others shine brighter. As for moving to Raw, I could see it, but I doubt it'll happen. With guys like Rock, Cena, Punk and Lesnar floating around the title scene, I can't see Orton fitting in there. SmackDown's where he's needed and SmackDown is where I think he'll stay.

I cannot help but agree here, people are too quick to dismiss Smackdown as a career death choke. But I think a true champion superstar, and one who will have longevity in this business, can do his stint on the B show. Carry some fueds on Smackdown, elevate some stars, then head back to RAW when they need you, your star shines brighter than ever, and someone else takes your spot elevating people.

Just My Opinion

 

[LoudClearVoice]

As some people have said, Orton needs to be back on RAW. He needs to be feuding with Brock Lesnar, or Punk (as a heel) or any top guy on RAW.

Smackdown is WWE's second rate show and while I don't think Orton's popularity is decreasing (he still gets big pops), I think his exposure is definitely decreasing.

The RAW supershows have helped but he needs to permanently be on RAW to feud with the RAW roster. The Smackdown title picture appears to be Sheamus and Bryan right now with ADR waiting in the Wings. Orton is kinda lost in the shuffle at the moment. He needs a re-boot and the character needs a re-boot too.... Might be time for a heel turn.

 

[jrichardson25]

Is Randy Orton's star dimming?

No, the guy just needs a factor he's been missing. He needs a big feud, something explosive. He seems like he's going through the motions... intensity is what he really needs... not that fake bullshit intensity...

Is there a certain drop in popularity?

Nah, people go nuts for the guy. I like his in ring work. His character outside of the ring lacks intensity.

Will this result in a draft to Raw this year perhaps?

I sure as hell hope so. A feud with someone like Lesnar would help. He could help shake things up on RAW... I felt his move to SD killed him.